Author: thaobh.leo@gmail.com

This is the latest in a series of semi-regular columns by Robbin Laird, where he will tackle current defense issues through the lens of more than 45 years of defense expertise in both the US and abroad. The goal of these columns: to look back at how questions and perspectives of the past should inform decisions being made today. Traditional flight training has created a dangerous gap. A pilot can earn their wings, demonstrate proficiency in basic flight operations, and still be utterly unprepared for the cognitive demands of operating a fifth-generation fighter like the F-35 Lightning II. The old progression,…

The New South Wales Auditor-General has criticised the handling by Transport for New South Wales of two large fleet contracts.

The Russian troops launched attacks on Ukrainian positions in the Pokrovsky direction, trying to take advantage of unfavorable weather conditions to complicate the activities of Ukrainian aerial reconnaissance. Fortunately, our defenders successfully repelled these attacks, as reported by Yuliya Stepanuk, head of the communications department of the 117th separate heavy mechanized brigade. ‘There were several mechanized assaults they are trying to carry out in bad weather when our drones cannot fly properly. This week, they attacked with 10 units of armored vehicles.’ According to Stepanuk, the Russian troops have shifted from infantry attacks to actively using armored vehicles, but these…

The God of War series that’s currently in the works from Sony Pictures Television and Amazon Prime Video is set to begin shooting next year, and while no casting details have been announced, we now have an update on which characters from the video games will be joining Kratos and Atreus in the live-action adaptation. Here are the main character breakdowns (via Daniel Richtman). Zion – A male in his 40s to 60s, any ethnicity. A war-hardened, muscular figure haunted by loss and a violent past. After his wife’s death, he’s forced to raise his 10-year-old son, though he struggles to connect…

Beyon Cyber and Haven sign MoU. (Source – Business Wire) By Sean Rayment Two leading cybersecurity companies have joined forces to deploy a cutting-edge artificial intelligence tool to bring greater security to hundreds of international organisations. Beyon Cyber, a Beyon Group company and the fastest-growing cybersecurity company in the Middle East, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Haven Cyber Technologies, a global cybersecurity services provider and Microsoft Solutions Partner, through its UK-based subsidiary ITC Secure. The move has allowed Beyon Cyber, a Bahrain-based company, and Haven Cyber to form a strategic partnership to deploy and integrate Orryx AI,…

The deployment of autonomous robotic systems through submarine torpedo tubes marks a revolutionary shift in naval warfare capabilities. The USS Delaware submarine recently demonstrated this groundbreaking technology by successfully launching the Yellow Moray autonomous underwater vehicle from its torpedo compartment. This achievement represents a significant milestone in underwater robotics integration, showcasing how traditional submarine systems can adapt to modern autonomous warfare requirements. Naval operations increasingly rely on unmanned systems to extend operational reach while minimizing human risk exposure. The successful deployment proves that existing submarine infrastructure can effectively support next-generation robotic platforms. Vice-Admiral Rob Gaucher emphasized the strategic importance of this development, stating that autonomous systems…

MBDA and Safran Electronics & Defense have announced that demonstration firings of the new THUNDART artillery system are scheduled for mid-2026. The system is being developed under the Long-Range Land Strike (FLP-T) programme launched by the French Defence Procurement Agency (DGA) in 2023. THUNDART, first presented at the Eurosatory defence exhibition in 2024, is designed to replace the French Army’s ageing unitary rocket launchers (LRUs), which are limited to a 70-kilometre range. The new system features a ground-to-ground rocket with a range of 150 kilometres.In response to the changing strategic environment and the lessons learned from the war in Ukraine, the…

The Director-General of the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons, DIG Johnson Kokumo (retd.), has warned that weak armoury

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 23 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim told Dewan Rakyat today that he personally supports caning as a method of disciplining students amid rising concerns over school violence and bullying.But Anwar also acknowledged the opposition to it, saying he understood why some quarters protested caning. The prime minister said he personally believes caning could be effective in dealing with mischievous students, but stressed that the method should be “highly regulated”.“I’ve voiced this before, for me personally I support the idea of reinstating caning (as a disciplining method) but with strict conditions, like not allowing public caning,” the…

NATO Defence Ministers focus on deterrence, counter-drone initiatives, defence investment, and support to Ukraine. NATO In 2024, global military expenditures reached $2.7 trillion, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI). This represents a 9.4% increase in real terms over 2023, the highest year-on-year rise since the end of the Cold War. All world regions have shown substantial increases over the past decade, except for Africa and South America.These are among the many alarming statistics highlighted in the UN secretary-general’s new report: “The Security We Need: Rebalancing Military Spending for a Sustainable, Peaceful Future.” The report warns of the…